Xi Jinping to Hold Trilateral Talks with Macron and EU Commission President Next Month

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen applauding at the 2nd plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC) held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 8th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a trilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during his visit to three European countries next month.

Lin Zhen, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced at a regular briefing on the 30th that President Xi will hold a China-France-EU leaders' trilateral meeting during his visit to France.

Spokesperson Lin said, "Since last year, China and the EU have fully resumed face-to-face exchanges at various levels and have fully revitalized sectoral dialogues and cooperation, showing a positive trend of 'stable improvement' in China-EU relations. This aligns with the interests of both parties and the expectations of the international community."

He explained, "China intends to use this trilateral summit with France and the EU as an opportunity to enhance the strategic, stable, constructive, and mutually beneficial nature of China-EU relations, and to make positive contributions to the development of China and the EU as well as world peace."

The meeting is expected to address economic and security issues, including trade matters such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and wind turbines.

President Xi plans to visit France, Serbia, and Hungary from the 5th to the 10th of next month. This will be his first visit to Europe in five years since 2019. The French ?lys?e Palace announced that President Xi will make a state visit on the 6th and 7th (local time).

France and the EU maintain relatively good relations with China. President Macron and Commission President von der Leyen have continued to oppose the US demand for 'decoupling' from China (separating supply chains, etc.) and have instead led a shift toward 'de-risking' (risk removal).